The Pacific was the destination assigned by President Jefferson and The Corps succeeded. So many months, and days, and miles, and troubles, and struggles and yet it is sad that it is over. That pretty well describes the feelings of Captains Lewis and Clark; and I must say it also describes my feelings. This afternoon, I am sad that it is over. I can honestly say that I have “planned” or at least dreamt about this journey since I was a young boy. Of course I didn’t know everything about their journey and I still don’t, even after this trip, but I knew enough about it that it created a deep curiosity and a yearning in me. I wanted to see at least some of the places they described and to contemplate their strengths and their drive. Now I have done just that. Numerous times, over the last 28 days, I have stood at the river bank, read a selection from their journals, looked upstream and pictured them rounding the bend headed west. I didn’t get to see any live grizzly bears and I didn’t get to the point that I had to eat anything undesirable, but I did see buffalos, an elk, a few bald eagles, a lot of ring-necked pheasants, and even a few prairie dogs. I didn’t have to “camp” in my truck even though I was prepared to do it if necessary. I did struggle a few days in the snow and several days in the rain, but I also had some beautiful sunshine that kept my spirits up. I ventured off the Lewis and Clark journey...
Cold, windy, and rainy; just as described in all their journals. The Oregon coast lived up to their descriptions in all aspects. A beautiful coast for sure, but cold and damp all day. As the one sign says, “The end of the Lewis and Clark Trail”. Seaside, OR N46.01491 W123.91120 Salt Works N45.98466 W123.93213 Ecola State Park N45.91955 W123.97405 Daily data: Beginning odometer at Comfort Inn, Astoria, OR was 31,025 miles. Ending odometer at the same place is 31,071 miles. Bought fuel at Astoria, OR. Bought 9.333 gallons @ $3.439 for a total of $32.10. [alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”117292386093793315084″ ualb=”5871666593272316209″ imgl=”fancybox” dltext=”Picasa” style=”floor” row=”4″ num=”150″ size=”220″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ align=”center”...
This is a private, non-profit cultural complex on the Missouri Riverfront. The beautiful center opened in 2002 in time to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in 2004. It expanded even further in 2007 to include an “Encounter Center”. The original wing is dedicated to Lewis and Clark and has some very unique displays that I thoroughly enjoyed. One is an animated Seaman barking at a prairie dog. The other is a very dramatic burial ceremony for Sgt. Floyd which includes Lewis and Clark paying tribute to their friend and fellow soldier. To think that this facility is privately funded and non-profit is almost unbelievable. Very well done and my thanks to the Missouri River Historical Development, Inc. Visit their website at siouxcitylcic.com [alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”117292386093793315084″ ualb=”5864255302497275185″ imgl=”fancybox” dltext=”Picasa” style=”floor” row=”4″ num=”80″ size=”220″ border=”1″ highlight=”1″ align=”center”...
